Showing Respect

He lived that is what, some people say
He occupied space, once upon a time
But seems, no one knew, he was there
Kind of, phantom of rhyme, to be forgotten.

Only reason, he existed seems, to be – in grave stone
He had a birthdate, and date of his - last breath
But somehow, there was no, in between, to fill in.
He left no sentence that did Will his exist tense.

In the end, there was no, eternal family around
Flowers adorned the dead, all around, his alone plot
As others, who were known, were pruned of weeds
His grave, decomposed his non presence appearance.

Poet noted, the contrast, of affluent, and poor lost souls
Within solitary, confined coffin, after life imprisonment
Was he reclusive hermit, or someone, who dared to question
But found people, do not question, powers that Bee Towers.

How does, a poet give, a John Doe nobody, called Samuel,
With a most common family name, Smith, a lifetime byline?
Where does, one start, except with a birthday and obituary.
Why bother, no one, was there, at the end, to show respect.

Poet pondered and wondered inside, should they - show respect
Poet can you, Will you, fill in time’s empty space - showing respect
Can Poets give afterlife meaning - Samuel Smith existed - show respect
What if someone came along and put a lone daisy on homeless grave -
Showing Respect.